Planning a wedding can be a hectic time. This timeline is an idea on what needs to happen so your wedding goes smoothly.
1-2 Years Before Your Destination Wedding Choose Your Destination Choosing the destination for your wedding can be hard, with several travel magazines and websites showing many different destinations. When deciding on the destination, budget will play a major role most of the time. It is important to consider the costs of travel, and how convenient air travel will be. It is also important to consider residency requirements and marriage laws for certain destinations. There is a lot to consider when choosing your destination, that the decision can seem impossible. It is a decision we understand, and we hope that our expertise can help guide you to that perfect destination wedding.
Select Your Resort Regardless of a resort’s location, couples will often choose a resort they read about and fell in love with. There are important factors that should play into your resort decision. Should it be close to the airport or be all-inclusive (We recommend this!)? Does the resort need to be family-friendly or be adults only? We only recommend the resorts we know you can trust to help make your wedding perfect. We’ve been to these resorts ourselves, so you can trust our recommendations.
Confirm Your Wedding Date With The Resort Destination weddings happen every day. If you’re flexible on the date, finding an available day will be easy, but if you have a specific date in mind, you should begin planning earlier so you can be sure the resort has your date open.
Make Your Room Reservation Once the resort has confirmed the wedding date, your room is next on the list. This is the last step, so once it is over you can be sure you are having a destination wedding. It’s time to take a deep breath, knowing the major decisions have been made.
1 Year Before Your Destination Wedding Send Save The Date Invitations Typically, as soon as the wedding date and location have been confirmed, couples will send out their Save The Date invitations. There are several options for this, from an email to a formal printed postcard, or refrigerator magnets. A logo or monogram can also be designed to be placed on the invitations. The options for your Save The Date invitations are numerous! While you’re creating your invitation, you’ll want to be sure to include Surf and Sand Travel’s contact information, so your guests know who to get in touch with for room reservations. We make sure each guest’s travel arrangements will fit their needs.
Shop For Your Dress If you don’t already have your dress, now is the time to get it! While you’re choosing, keep in mind your dress will be one of your carry-ons during the flight. For a destination wedding, the dress can be beachy sundresses to a formal gown, so no matter what you choose it’ll reflect you. Have fun shopping!
Check Your Passport If you need a passport, now is the time to apply for it. If you’ve already obtained your passport, check the expiration date. Some destinations will require your passport is valid for 6 months or longer after you travel. And while you’re making your reservations, double check and be sure the name on your travel documents is the same as the name on your passport.
6 Months Prior To Your Destination Wedding Talk it up! Most of your guests will have booked their trip, but there are a few who will wait until your wedding date is closer. Don’t be shy about showing your excitement to your friends and family! Most locations only require a small deposit on the travel reservations, so share this with them early to help motivate your guests to confirm they’ll be there! We are happy to send out reminders to your guests about booking too. A reminder from someone besides the bride and groom can be nice!
2-3 Months Before Your Destination Wedding Finalize The Details By now, the details for your ceremony and the reception will take shape. Decisions about the flowers, music, decorations, and menus will need to be made. This is also the time to have a contingency plan in place, just in case inclement weather happens. A wedding coordinator will be at the resort for us to work with so the finer details of your wedding day will be in place.
Finalize The Legal Documents Do you have all the legal documents you need for you to be married? Does anything need to be notarized copies? Is there anything that needs to be translated? We are happy to help you with these details, but you should make sure everything is prepared at least 2 months ahead of time.
Send Out Formal Invitations Many couples will send their guests formal invitations. If your reception is at home, this is the time to announce the reception and invite everyone who couldn’t travel to the wedding. Like with the Save the Date invitations, you’ll want to make sure our contact information is on the invites so any last-minute guests can make their arrangements.
The Final Payment Any travel arrangements you make will typically need to be paid in full between 45 and 70 days ahead of your departure.
1 Month Before Your Destination Wedding Finalize Everything The details for your wedding ceremony and the reception should be in place and ready to go. This is the time to begin your packing list to make sure you don’t forget something important when the time to head to the airport arrives.
Right Before You Depart Prepare To Travel Make sure your mail is being held at the post office until you return, have your emails for work and home set up with an out-of-office auto reply, and make sure key people have been given your travel itinerary. Make sure your legal marriage documents are in your carry-on and have copies of your passports with each piece of luggage.